Former Jockey Club and Racecourse Media Group (RMG) Chairman Simon Bazalgette has become the Founding Chair of MyRacehorse – a business that seeks to pioneer micro-share ownership in racehorses for the general public.
MyRacehorse launched its micro-share services for UK and Irish racing last month, providing the public with shares available in three horses currently in training: a £450,000 son of Dubawi with Andrew Balding, a Mendelssohn filly with John & Thady Gosden and a Zoffany filly with Joseph O’Brien.
Operating since 2019, MyRacehorse has achieved great success in the US and Australia, growing to become the ‘leading shared ownership group’ in global racing, with over 100 horses in training around the world and more than 40,000 registered owners.
A figurehead of UK racing governance, Bazalgette has backed MyRacehorse UK-&-IRE growth directives as “vital for horseracing to reengage with wider audiences”.
Bazalgette said: “MyRacehorse is doing exactly that through its innovative technology, which enables racing fans to experience the thrill of ownership at affordable prices.
“Importantly, the service is designed to meet financial security regulations, and therefore will be best in class in terms of transparency and protection of its members. They have achieved extraordinary things in the US and Australia in a short period of time, securing top quality bloodstock and providing an incredible experience for their owners. I look forward to working with the team to help achieve future growth as I am sure the concept will prove hugely popular in the UK and Ireland.”
The appointment of Bazalgette will be further supported by Paul Fisher, the former Chief Executive of Jockey Club Racecourses, who will serve as the business’ Chair of its UK Advisory Board.
Commenting on the appointments of Bazalgette and Fisher, Jules Pittam, Managing Partner, MyRacehorse UK and Ireland, said: “Simon and Paul bring a wealth of experience from both horseracing and the wider business community which will prove invaluable as we seek to grow MyRacehorse throughout the UK and Ireland.
“Our core philosophy is to bring new people into the sport by experiencing elite ownership at affordable prices, all done with the highest standards of transparency and governance.
“This is real ownership – elite horses, top trainers and a share for the entirety of the horse’s racing and breeding career. We are all looking forward to lots of exciting days on the racecourse with our three horses this summer.”